Pesticide exposure as a risk factor for lymphoproliferative disorders in adults.

In view of the widespread use of pesticides in Egypt and the increasing incidence of leukaemia and lymphoma we aimed to assess pesticide exposure and other selected variables as risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders (leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma). In a hospital-based, retrospective, case-control study in 2011-2012, adult cases of lymphoproliferative disorders (n = 130) were recruited from outpatient clinics in Menoufia, Egypt, while controls (n = 130) were age- and sex-matched fracture patients. Family history of cancer, exposure to X-rays, smoking and use of hair dyes were not risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders in univariate analysis. History of exposure to pesticides and HCV infection were significant risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders in multivariate analysis (OR = 2.24; 95% CI: 1.22-4.11 and OR = 2.67; 95% CI: 1.50-4.80 respectively). The risk was significant for cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma but not chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

The pattern and outcome of burn injuries at a burn unit in Saudi Arabia: Retrospective analysis of consecutive 501 patients.

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 501 consecutive patients with burn injuries who were seen between June 1983 and December 1988. The population consisted predominantly of young patients under 20 years of age (53%); 65% were males and 72% were Saudi nationals. Most burn injuries were the result of domestic accidents (75%) and scald burns were the cause in 55% of patients. There was an inhospital mortality of 8% during first hospitalizations. Multivariate analysis identified several independent adverse prognostic factors: increased total burn surface area, inhalation injury, thrombophlebitis, documented septicemia, and deep circumferential burn over the extremities. Using these poor prognostic factors, we were able to stratify patients into three risk categories, each presenting a significant difference in the probability of survival. Our analysis yielded data about the pattern of burn injuries, prognostic factors, and outcome at a dedicated burn unit in Saudi Arabia.

Protein profile and morphometry of cultured human Blastocystis hominis from children with gastroenteritis and healthy ones.

A total of 180 children of age group 5-12 years old in both sexes, of whom 90 were symptomatic and negative for other parasites, rotavirus or pathogenic bacteria. Another 90 children were asymptomatic, but with B. hominis in stools. Direct smear, formaline-ethyl acetate sedimentation concentration, kinyon carbol-fuchin stain, stool culture, enzyme immunoassay, culturing, morphometric study, gel electrophoresis and experimental infection of mice were done. The results showed that the central body cysts (CB), granular and multivacuolar forms isolated from symptomatic patients were larger than those from asymptomatic ones. The CB form was common compared to other forms and isolated from 104 cases. B. hominis infection was prevalent among males rather than females (60.5% versus 39.5%). The clinical data showed that diarrhea was the most common symptom (58.9%). The infection intensity had a direct relation with illness duration. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that isolates from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients ranged between 24-130 kDa. All isolates showed similar banding patterns. Only minor differences was in low MW (30, 50 kDa) and in high MW (118 kDa) in samples from symptomatic patients. The histopathological examination of caecum, colon and small intestine of B. hominis mice infected from symptommatic patients showed infiltration with inflammatory cells and tissue invasion by the parasite.

Detection of Giardia lamblia copro-antigens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and counterimmunoelectrophoresis.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) were used to detect G. Lamblia Copro-antigens. Rabbit antisera raised against Giardia trophozoites and cysts were used as anti-Giardia antibodies. The overall sensitivity of the ELISA was 96.15% and its specificity was 93.48% in contrast to 69.23% and 82.61% for the CIEP.